World Series notebook: McCullers out; top 2 picks of 2015 in

HOUSTON (AP) — Lance McCullers knew there was a “less than 1%” chance that he would be able to pitch in the World Series for the Houston Astros because of a forearm strain. The right-hander waited as long as possible, and didn't beat those odds.

“We remained hopeful," McCullers said Monday, when announcing the day before Game 1 against the Atlanta Braves that he wouldn't be on the Houston roster. "We tried to pushed it as far as we could, but just couldn’t make it back to throwing,. ... There was no point to write me off before we had to."

After a career-high 13 wins during the regular season, when he also had a 3.16 ERA and 185 strikeouts, McCullers got hurt in the AL Division Series. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a Game 1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, then allowed one run with five strikeouts over four innings before leaving the Game 4 series clincher Oct. 12 what the team said then was forearm tightness.

McCullers said the flexor pronator muscle strain in his right arm usually means six to eight weeks before even picking up a ball. The 28-year-old pitcher, who signed an $85 million, five-year contract extension in March through 2026, said doctors have indicated that they don't believe there are any other issues. He expects to be fully healthy by spring training.

“It’s disappointing for sure, especially with the season that I had and the first round that I had,” McCullers said. “But I feel like I made big impacts for our team the whole season and down the stretch and then in the first round. Hopefully, I can make impacts in other areas for this round.”

McCullers started Game 7 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium when Houston won its first championship.

NOT SAYING YET

While McCullers is out, it was the pitcher and not Astros manager Dusty Baker...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/World-Series-notebook-McCullers-out-top-2-picks-16563409.php